The metrical portion of Samhita usually consists of hymns which are to be chanted by the Udgatar priests during the times of those sacrifices in which the juice of the Soma is offered to the various deities. According to the Indian musical canon the lyrics for the hymns are provided by the Rig Veda but it is the Sama Veda that has provided the notes.
The purpose behind creating the Sama Veda was the Samagan. Sama Veda has a very close association with Rig Veda. In fact it can be said that Sama Veda has been the first attempt to give melody to any chanted verse. The Sama Veda has exactly 1875 verses and each of the verses has a specific metre. It is however said that probably these hymns date back to 1000 BC. The exact date of the compilation of Sama Veda cannot be specified but it can be said that Sama Veda had been compiled much later and that is one of the reasons why certain hymns are incomplete and are portions of hymns part of the Rig Veda. The date of compilation of Sama Veda is not specifically known. It contains the hymns which are recited while performing a Yajna.
In terms of sanctity and liturgical importance Sama Veda ranks just after the Rig Veda. In Sanskrit language, Sama Veda refers to the knowledge that is rendered through melody. Sama Veda, also known as the Veda of Holy Songs, is one of the four canonical Vedic texts of India.
